Water-skiing slalom-style, with one ski, is a favorite activity of many water skiers once they have mastered the novice two-ski style. For experienced and devoted skiers, though, the sport can become a competitive one, with both amateur and professional competitions found all over the world.  

In a competitive slalom waterskiing, a boat tows the skier through a set of buoys arranged to create six turns (three to each side) arranged in a zigzag pattern. Additional pairs of buoys down the center of the course guide the boat. The skiers make multiple passes through the course, with the boat gradually increasing speed to increase the difficulty. The skier’s score is determined by how many buoys are cleared, and by the speed of the boat and length of the rope. In some competitions, top skiers may begin their runs at the top sanctioned speed (for men, 36 mph, 58 kph; for women, 34 mph, 55 kph), increasing their difficulty level by shortening the tow rope. 

If  you are interested in establishing your own slalom waterski course and seek guidance, there are a number of resources you can use

The IWSF site provides an official slalom course diagram. Think Waterski offers diagrams of course layouts.  USA Waterski also has a chart with a diagram.

U.S. Water Ski Standards

Slalom courses can be laid out in a variety of ways with varying numbers of buoys, but for official competitions, the U.S. Water Ski Organization requires a course using 26 buoys, set out at the following dimensions: 

Description Dimension Range

Total Length 849’ 8 7/8" 847’ 7 38" to 851’ 10 3/8"

Starting Gate to Ball 1 88’ 7" 88’ 1 5/8" to 89’ 1/4"

Ball 1 to Ball 2 Gates 134’ 6 1/8" 133’ 10 1/8" to 135’ 2 1/4"

Center of Entrance Gate to Ball 1 96’ 3 3/8" 95’ 9 5/8" to 96’ 9 1/8"

Ball 2 to Ball 3 Diagonal 154’ 2 3/4" 153" 5 3/8" to 155’ 1/8"

Entrance Gate, Center of Course to Ball 4 4’ 1 1/4" 3’ 10 3/4" to 4’ 3 3/4"

Center Line of Course to Turn Ball 37’ 8 3/4" 37’ 4 1/4" to 38’ 1 3/8"

Center Line of Course to Boat Gates 3’ 9 1/4" 3’ 4 3/4" to 4’ 1 3/4"

55 Meter Buoys 180’ 5 3/8" 179’ 6 1/2" to 181’ 4 1/4"

Anchoring Buoys

Floating waterski buoys are easy to find, available at both online retailers and ski shops. Laying out and anchoring buoys can be a complicated affair if you aspire to qualify as an officially sanctioned competition requiring specialized sub-buoys, tension bands, and anchors. Waterskiing officials will need to inspect your site and installation to sanction it for competition. But for unofficial competitions or training courses, you can use ordinary buoys, nylon rope, and cement blocks or metal weights as anchors. Such buoys are easily removed once your unofficial competition or training sessions are done. 

Make sure to check with local authorities on any restrictions for laying out a course or materials allowable for buoys and anchors. There may be permits required, as well as time limits and regulations for removing the buoys when the permit period is over. 

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Water-skiing slalom-style, with one ski, is a favorite activity of many water skiers once they have mastered the novice two-ski style. For experienced and devoted skiers, though, the sport can become a competitive one, with both amateur and professional competitions found all over the world.  

In a competitive slalom waterskiing, a boat tows the skier through a set of buoys arranged to create six turns (three to each side) arranged in a zigzag pattern. Additional pairs of buoys down the center of the course guide the boat. The skiers make multiple passes through the course, with the boat gradually increasing speed to increase the difficulty. The skier’s score is determined by how many buoys are cleared, and by the speed of the boat and length of the rope. In some competitions, top skiers may begin their runs at the top sanctioned speed (for men, 36 mph, 58 kph; for women, 34 mph, 55 kph), increasing their difficulty level by shortening the tow rope. 

If  you are interested in establishing your own slalom waterski course and seek guidance, there are a number of resources you can use

The IWSF site provides an official slalom course diagram. Think Waterski offers diagrams of course layouts.  USA Waterski also has a chart with a diagram.

U.S. Water Ski Standards

Slalom courses can be laid out in a variety of ways with varying numbers of buoys, but for official competitions, the U.S. Water Ski Organization requires a course using 26 buoys, set out at the following dimensions: 

Description Dimension Range

Total Length 849’ 8 7/8" 847’ 7 38" to 851’ 10 3/8"

Starting Gate to Ball 1 88’ 7" 88’ 1 5/8" to 89’ 1/4"

Ball 1 to Ball 2 Gates 134’ 6 1/8" 133’ 10 1/8" to 135’ 2 1/4"

Center of Entrance Gate to Ball 1 96’ 3 3/8" 95’ 9 5/8" to 96’ 9 1/8"

Ball 2 to Ball 3 Diagonal 154’ 2 3/4" 153" 5 3/8" to 155’ 1/8"

Entrance Gate, Center of Course to Ball 4 4’ 1 1/4" 3’ 10 3/4" to 4’ 3 3/4"

Center Line of Course to Turn Ball 37’ 8 3/4" 37’ 4 1/4" to 38’ 1 3/8"

Center Line of Course to Boat Gates 3’ 9 1/4" 3’ 4 3/4" to 4’ 1 3/4"

55 Meter Buoys 180’ 5 3/8" 179’ 6 1/2" to 181’ 4 1/4"

Anchoring Buoys

Floating waterski buoys are easy to find, available at both online retailers and ski shops. Laying out and anchoring buoys can be a complicated affair if you aspire to qualify as an officially sanctioned competition requiring specialized sub-buoys, tension bands, and anchors. Waterskiing officials will need to inspect your site and installation to sanction it for competition. But for unofficial competitions or training courses, you can use ordinary buoys, nylon rope, and cement blocks or metal weights as anchors. Such buoys are easily removed once your unofficial competition or training sessions are done. 

Make sure to check with local authorities on any restrictions for laying out a course or materials allowable for buoys and anchors. There may be permits required, as well as time limits and regulations for removing the buoys when the permit period is over. 

HGTV Dream Home Winners

Do It Yourself Boat Trailer Tongue Extension

Earn a Living as a Skating Facility Owner or Operator

The Essential Gear for Scuba Diving

Best Sailing and Boating Apps

What Is a Drysuit and How Do They Work?

What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

North Florida’s Best Fishing

What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

North Florida’s Best Fishing

The Minimum Age to Work in Texas

Is It Easier to Roller Skate or Inline Skate?

A Guide to the Different Types of Sweepstakes to Enter

Golf Tournament Formats, Side Games and Golf Bets

100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time

Alternate Tuning Guide

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

Water-skiing slalom-style, with one ski, is a favorite activity of many water skiers once they have mastered the novice two-ski style. For experienced and devoted skiers, though, the sport can become a competitive one, with both amateur and professional competitions found all over the world.  

In a competitive slalom waterskiing, a boat tows the skier through a set of buoys arranged to create six turns (three to each side) arranged in a zigzag pattern. Additional pairs of buoys down the center of the course guide the boat. The skiers make multiple passes through the course, with the boat gradually increasing speed to increase the difficulty. The skier’s score is determined by how many buoys are cleared, and by the speed of the boat and length of the rope. In some competitions, top skiers may begin their runs at the top sanctioned speed (for men, 36 mph, 58 kph; for women, 34 mph, 55 kph), increasing their difficulty level by shortening the tow rope. 

If  you are interested in establishing your own slalom waterski course and seek guidance, there are a number of resources you can use

The IWSF site provides an official slalom course diagram. Think Waterski offers diagrams of course layouts.  USA Waterski also has a chart with a diagram.

U.S. Water Ski Standards

Slalom courses can be laid out in a variety of ways with varying numbers of buoys, but for official competitions, the U.S. Water Ski Organization requires a course using 26 buoys, set out at the following dimensions: 

Description Dimension Range

Total Length 849’ 8 7/8" 847’ 7 38" to 851’ 10 3/8"

Starting Gate to Ball 1 88’ 7" 88’ 1 5/8" to 89’ 1/4"

Ball 1 to Ball 2 Gates 134’ 6 1/8" 133’ 10 1/8" to 135’ 2 1/4"

Center of Entrance Gate to Ball 1 96’ 3 3/8" 95’ 9 5/8" to 96’ 9 1/8"

Ball 2 to Ball 3 Diagonal 154’ 2 3/4" 153" 5 3/8" to 155’ 1/8"

Entrance Gate, Center of Course to Ball 4 4’ 1 1/4" 3’ 10 3/4" to 4’ 3 3/4"

Center Line of Course to Turn Ball 37’ 8 3/4" 37’ 4 1/4" to 38’ 1 3/8"

Center Line of Course to Boat Gates 3’ 9 1/4" 3’ 4 3/4" to 4’ 1 3/4"

55 Meter Buoys 180’ 5 3/8" 179’ 6 1/2" to 181’ 4 1/4"

Anchoring Buoys

Floating waterski buoys are easy to find, available at both online retailers and ski shops. Laying out and anchoring buoys can be a complicated affair if you aspire to qualify as an officially sanctioned competition requiring specialized sub-buoys, tension bands, and anchors. Waterskiing officials will need to inspect your site and installation to sanction it for competition. But for unofficial competitions or training courses, you can use ordinary buoys, nylon rope, and cement blocks or metal weights as anchors. Such buoys are easily removed once your unofficial competition or training sessions are done. 

Make sure to check with local authorities on any restrictions for laying out a course or materials allowable for buoys and anchors. There may be permits required, as well as time limits and regulations for removing the buoys when the permit period is over. 

Water-skiing slalom-style, with one ski, is a favorite activity of many water skiers once they have mastered the novice two-ski style. For experienced and devoted skiers, though, the sport can become a competitive one, with both amateur and professional competitions found all over the world.  

In a competitive slalom waterskiing, a boat tows the skier through a set of buoys arranged to create six turns (three to each side) arranged in a zigzag pattern. Additional pairs of buoys down the center of the course guide the boat. The skiers make multiple passes through the course, with the boat gradually increasing speed to increase the difficulty. The skier’s score is determined by how many buoys are cleared, and by the speed of the boat and length of the rope. In some competitions, top skiers may begin their runs at the top sanctioned speed (for men, 36 mph, 58 kph; for women, 34 mph, 55 kph), increasing their difficulty level by shortening the tow rope. 

If  you are interested in establishing your own slalom waterski course and seek guidance, there are a number of resources you can use

  • The IWSF site provides an official slalom course diagram.
  • Think Waterski offers diagrams of course layouts.
  • USA Waterski also has a chart with a diagram.

U.S. Water Ski Standards

Slalom courses can be laid out in a variety of ways with varying numbers of buoys, but for official competitions, the U.S. Water Ski Organization requires a course using 26 buoys, set out at the following dimensions: 

Description Dimension Range

Total Length 849’ 8 7/8" 847’ 7 38" to 851’ 10 3/8"

Starting Gate to Ball 1 88’ 7" 88’ 1 5/8" to 89’ 1/4"

Ball 1 to Ball 2 Gates 134’ 6 1/8" 133’ 10 1/8" to 135’ 2 1/4"

Center of Entrance Gate to Ball 1 96’ 3 3/8" 95’ 9 5/8" to 96’ 9 1/8"

Ball 2 to Ball 3 Diagonal 154’ 2 3/4" 153" 5 3/8" to 155’ 1/8"

Entrance Gate, Center of Course to Ball 4 4’ 1 1/4" 3’ 10 3/4" to 4’ 3 3/4"

Center Line of Course to Turn Ball 37’ 8 3/4" 37’ 4 1/4" to 38’ 1 3/8"

Center Line of Course to Boat Gates 3’ 9 1/4" 3’ 4 3/4" to 4’ 1 3/4"

55 Meter Buoys 180’ 5 3/8" 179’ 6 1/2" to 181’ 4 1/4"

Anchoring Buoys

Floating waterski buoys are easy to find, available at both online retailers and ski shops. Laying out and anchoring buoys can be a complicated affair if you aspire to qualify as an officially sanctioned competition requiring specialized sub-buoys, tension bands, and anchors. Waterskiing officials will need to inspect your site and installation to sanction it for competition. But for unofficial competitions or training courses, you can use ordinary buoys, nylon rope, and cement blocks or metal weights as anchors. Such buoys are easily removed once your unofficial competition or training sessions are done. 

Make sure to check with local authorities on any restrictions for laying out a course or materials allowable for buoys and anchors. There may be permits required, as well as time limits and regulations for removing the buoys when the permit period is over. 

Anchoring Buoys

Floating waterski buoys are easy to find, available at both online retailers and ski shops. Laying out and anchoring buoys can be a complicated affair if you aspire to qualify as an officially sanctioned competition requiring specialized sub-buoys, tension bands, and anchors. Waterskiing officials will need to inspect your site and installation to sanction it for competition. But for unofficial competitions or training courses, you can use ordinary buoys, nylon rope, and cement blocks or metal weights as anchors. Such buoys are easily removed once your unofficial competition or training sessions are done. 

Make sure to check with local authorities on any restrictions for laying out a course or materials allowable for buoys and anchors. There may be permits required, as well as time limits and regulations for removing the buoys when the permit period is over. 

  • HGTV Dream Home Winners

  • Do It Yourself Boat Trailer Tongue Extension

  • Earn a Living as a Skating Facility Owner or Operator

  • The Essential Gear for Scuba Diving

  • Best Sailing and Boating Apps

  • What Is a Drysuit and How Do They Work?

  • What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

  • North Florida’s Best Fishing

  • What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

  • North Florida’s Best Fishing

  • The Minimum Age to Work in Texas

  • Is It Easier to Roller Skate or Inline Skate?

  • A Guide to the Different Types of Sweepstakes to Enter

  • Golf Tournament Formats, Side Games and Golf Bets

  • 100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time

  • Alternate Tuning Guide

HGTV Dream Home Winners

HGTV Dream Home Winners

Do It Yourself Boat Trailer Tongue Extension

Do It Yourself Boat Trailer Tongue Extension

Earn a Living as a Skating Facility Owner or Operator

Earn a Living as a Skating Facility Owner or Operator

The Essential Gear for Scuba Diving

The Essential Gear for Scuba Diving

Best Sailing and Boating Apps

Best Sailing and Boating Apps

What Is a Drysuit and How Do They Work?

What Is a Drysuit and How Do They Work?

What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

What Should You Wear Under Your Wetsuit?

North Florida’s Best Fishing

North Florida’s Best Fishing

The Minimum Age to Work in Texas

The Minimum Age to Work in Texas

Is It Easier to Roller Skate or Inline Skate?

Is It Easier to Roller Skate or Inline Skate?

A Guide to the Different Types of Sweepstakes to Enter

A Guide to the Different Types of Sweepstakes to Enter

Golf Tournament Formats, Side Games and Golf Bets

Golf Tournament Formats, Side Games and Golf Bets

100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time

100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time

Alternate Tuning Guide

Alternate Tuning Guide

Home

Entertainment

Careers

Activities

Humor

About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Home

Home

Entertainment

Careers

Activities

Humor

About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

  • About Us

  • Advertise

  • Careers

  • Privacy Policy

  • Editorial Guidelines

  • Contact

  • Terms of Use

  • EU Privacy

  • Entertainment

  • Careers

  • Activities

  • Humor

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies